EngineeringField NotesEngineering TechnicalInformation System

Washington Office Engineering Staff 1

Retaining Wall With an Eye on the Past 13

Sustainability—Building Green for BothHumans and the Environment 21

Stress-Skin Panel Construction of aSmall Cabin 29

The KISS System Outwits Beavers:A Success Story From the Town ofSouth Bristol 41

United StatesDepartment ofAgriculture

Forest Service

Engineering Staff

Washington, DC

Volume 29May-August

1997

1

Washington Office Engineering Staff

We have many new faces at the Washington Office, so we included thisarticle to let our readers know who is responsible for what. The organiza-tion chart below shows the organization of the Engineering Staff. Thefollowing pages contain summaries of the staff positions and the peoplewho fill them.

VIVIAN SHREVESecretaryGS-318-7

BLAKE VELDEEnvironmental Scientist

GS-1301-15

RON TANGEMANSupervisor Civil Eng.

GS-810-14

GEORGE SUNDSTROMEnvironmental Scientist

GS-1301-14

KAREN WALDVOGELEnvironmental Engineer

GS-819-14

JACKIE WILLSBudget Analyst

GS-560-9

USDA HAZARDOUSWASTE PROGRAM

BRYON FOSSAssistant Director

GS-810-15

TECHNICAL APPLICATIONS& SUPPORT (TA&S)

11 52 01 03

STANDARDS& EVALUATIONS (S&E)

11 52 01 02

VAUGHN STOKESAssistant Director

GS-801-15

VACANTGeneral Engineer

GS-801-14

MIKE HARPEREquipment Mgmt. Eng.

GS-801-14

FONG OUCivil Engineer

GS-810-13

JACK ARROWSMITHEquipment Mgmt. Spec.

GS-301-12

BRIAN LESSERComputer Programmer

GS-334-11VACANT

Environmental EngineerGS-819-14

KAREN SOLARIEnvironmental Engineer

GS-819-13

TYRONE KELLEYEnvironmental Engineer

GS-819-13

NELSON HERNANDEZCivil Engineer

GS-810-14

RICHARD SOWACivil Engineer

GS-810-14

TOM CHAPPELLCivil Engineer

GS-810-14

JIM PADGETTCivil Engineer

GS-810-14

BRENDA STYERHighway Engineer

GS-810-13

DAVE ERWINHighway Engineer

GS-810-14

KEITH SIMILAGeneral Engineer

GS-801-14

MARK FLOODSupv. Cartographer

GS-1370-14

ROBERTA QUIGLEYCartographerGS-1370-13

SONJA BEAVERSTechnical Writer/Editor

GS-1083-12

KITTY HUTCHINSONTechnical Editor

GS-1083-11

ANN ASHTONOffice Automation

GS-326-5

CHARLES DULLRemote Sensing Coord.

GS-401-14

WILLIAM BELTONPhysical Scientist

GS-1301-13

MISSOULA TECHNOLOGY& DEVELOPMENT CNTR.

11 52 01 03 05

JOHN STEWARDManager

GS-801-14

SAN DIMAS TECHNOLOGY& DEVELOPMENT CNTR.

11 52 01 03 06

VACANTManager

GS-801-14

ANN HOUGHINFRA Support

GS-334-9

GEOMETRONICSSERVICE CENTER

11 52 01 03 03

ROBERTA CARROLLManager

GS-1370-14

REMOTE SENSINGAPPLICATIONS CENTER

11 52 01 03 01

TOM BOBBEManager

GS-401-14

DETACHED UNITS

VACANTDirectorES-801

SKIP COGHLANDeputy Director

GS-801-15PROGRAMS & BUDGET

GEOMETRONICS

REMOTE SENSING

TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT& ENGINEERING SUPPORT

PUBLICATIONS& ENGINEERING SUPPORT

FLEET EQUIPMENTMANAGEMENT

ENGINEERING MANAGEMENTINFORMATION

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

HIGHWAY STRUCTURES

TRANSPORTATIONDEVELOPMENT

TRANSPORTATIONOPERATIONS & MAINT.

FACILITIES

GEOTECHNICAL& WATER RESOURCES

EILEEN JONESSecretaryGS-318-6

TERRY HARWOODEnvironmental Engineer

GS-819-15

21

Sustainability—Building Green for BothHumans and the Environment

Anna J. Jones-Crabtree, P.E.Civil EngineerRegion 2, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison National Forest

The building industry is “going green.” New recycled building materials,more energy efficient HVAC and lighting systems, water conservationmeasures, construction site recycling, and increases in the healthiness ofthe work environment are all reflective of this current movement. Yet, thismovement is not merely about doing what is right for the natural environ-ment. It is also about making decisions based on what may be right forhumans now and in the future. In other words, the building industry isadopting the concepts of sustainability.

What exactly is this thing called sustainability, and how is it going toimpact the Forest Service engineering operations of the future? The pur-pose of this article is to first, explain the concept of sustainability and itsrelation to the built environment. Secondly, it will identify the currentpolicy direction available for implementation of sustainable concepts intoForest Service facilities. Finally, it proposes an information network forsharing experiences and knowledge about sustainability and buildings.

What Is The resulting impacts of human population and technology on Earth’sSustainability? resource base are profound. The potential long-term implications of these

impacts have spurred a movement of growing concern over the ability ofhuman development to prevent violation of Earth’s support systems andthus to preserve the quality of life available for future human generations.In essence, how can humans develop sustainably? Is it possible to balancenatural resources and ecosystem viability over time while maintainingdesired human living standards and economic growth? These are questionsthe Forest Service confronts on a daily basis. Resource management,stewardship, and the conservation ethic are integral to sustainability. Yet,sustainable forestry issues have as much to do with use of resources aswith resource management. Those of us involved in Forest Serviceengineering operations are well aware that balancing the resource equationinvolves not only a myriad of environmental issues, but also anunderstanding of the impact of those issues in a broader social andeconomic context.

This same balance is true of the building industry. No longer can thesingular issues of time, cost, and quality be used to measure the perfor-mance of any building project specifically within the limited context of theproject. Now and in the future, performance will need to be embedded in alarger environmental, social, and economic context (Vanegas 1995, Kibert1994). Sustainability as it relates to the built environment essentially

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involves three main issues, which are important at every stage in the lifecycle of a built facility (adapted from U.S. Department of Energy 1997):

• Efficient use of all resources (energy, water, material, and land) andminimization of waste.

• Conservation of the natural environment, the source of all of ourresources.

• Creation of a healthy built environment for existing and futuregenerations.

The Built The environmental and human impacts committed to creating the overallEnvironment, built environment are extensive. As the population continues to expand,Sustainability, and the enormous resources required to construct, operate, and maintain thethe Forest Service world’s buildings will also expand. Currently, buildings and the

construction industry worldwide account for (Roodman 1995):

• One-sixth of the world’s freshwater withdrawals.

• One-quarter of the world’s wood harvest.

• Two-fifths of the world’s material and energy flows.

It is estimated that U.S. buildings and the construction industry accountfor (Croxton 1994, Brand 1994, Dibner 1992):

• More than 54 percent of total energy usage.

• $60 billion per year spent on medical expenses related to sickbuilding syndrome.

• 740 million tons of carbon dioxide produced from U.S. commercial-related buildings.

• More than 50 percent of the Nation’s wealth.

• Employment of more than 10 million people.

• 13 percent of the U.S. gross national product.

Specifically, U.S. Federal facilities account for (Dibner 1992, Chappell1996):

• More than 500,000 buildings owned and/or leased by the FederalGovernment (16,090 buildings are managed by the Forest Service).

• 3.1 billion square feet of floor space. (22.2 million square feet areForest Service related).

• Consumption of 60 billion kilowatthours of energy each year at acost of more than $3.5 billion.

• Utilization of several hundred cubic miles of water each year.

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• Expenses of approximately $15 billion annually in design andconstruction (State and local governments may account for anadditional $50 billion spent per year).

Clearly, the decisions of those of us involved with designing, constructing,operating, and maintaining the built environment of the Forest Servicehave long-term impacts for both the environment and present and futuregenerations of humans. Recognition of these impacts has led majorbuilding-related professional groups to incorporate the concepts ofsustainability into their operations. The American Society of Civil Engi-neers has adopted a policy statement concerning the role of the engineer insustainable development. The American Institute of Architects has pub-lished an environmental resource guide detailing the potential life-cycleenvironmental impacts of building materials and components. Conservingresources and creating more productive and healthy spaces for humans isbecoming our responsibility in not only our personal lives but our profes-sional lives as well. For example, it is one thing to recycle your newspapersat home. It is quite another undertaking to incorporate construction jobsite recycling. It may not be a problem to install high-efficiency lightbulbsin 10 to 20 lights at home. However, to install several hundred high-efficiency lightbulbs and fixtures in all district offices on one forest involvessignificant financial and time outlays. Obtaining fresh air in your home issimple—you open a window. Obtaining fresh air in a multistory office witha malfunctioning HVAC system and new carpeting isn’t so easy.

So what does this mean to us in the Forest Service? Do we have a wholenew set of sustainability tasks to incorporate into our already full capacityworkload? No! The essence of sustainability isn’t something new to us inthe Forest Service. After all, we’ve been attempting to build and sustainlow-maintenance, longlasting, durable, environmentally and visually lowimpact facilities and projects for a long time. However, there are opportuni-ties to incorporate the concepts of sustainability, by expanding our knowl-edge about the state-of-the-art in sustainable building technologies andrelated policies and direction. Several Federal groups are working onmaking this information available to us.

Building A few specific policies that are available to justify sustainable design,Sustainability- construction, operation, maintenance, and deconstruction are listed inRelated Policies table 1. This is not an inclusive listing. The Federal Energy Managementand Federal Groups Program (FEMP) homepage at http://www.eren.doe.gov/femp/ provides a

more comprehensive listing. In addition to specific policy statements, thereare several Federal groups working specifically toward incorporatingsustainability into daily operations. These groups are listed in table 2.Again, this listing is by no means comprehensive, but is meant to serve asa starting point for discussing and implementing the issues surroundingsustainability.

Existing Forest Understanding what policy direction is available to support sustainability-Service oriented decisions is only part of fully implementing sustainability into ourSustainability built environment. The other part involves showcasing our accomplish-Showcase Projects ments in implementing sustainable actions so that others can learn from

the challenges and successes of those projects. As stated, the ForestService has been grappling with the concept of sustainability for a long

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time. However, this does not mean we have fully incorporated theassociated actions into our built environment. Shouldn’t an agency whosemain focus is “Caring for the Land and Serving People” (which in essence isacting sustainably) work harder at walking the talk? Think about howmany employees and customers use our facilities on a daily basis. Each ofthese contacts is an opportunity to showcase our facilities as incorporatingsustainable concepts and encourage the average users to also incorporatesustainability into their lives. There are numerous opportunities to shareand exchange information with other government agencies attempting toadopt and understand sustainability. However, we must first be able toshare and exchange information, among ourselves and our line officers,about our successes and the challenges we encounter on all of ourprojects. Several Forest Service facility projects and related work are brieflydescribed in table 3, along with a contact person for further information.This listing is by no means comprehensive. If you are aware of or involved

Table 1. Relevant Sustainable Building Policy and Direction

Relevant Policy or Direction Description

National Energy Conservation Policy Act of Directs the completion of audits, surveys, and1978—Title 42, U.S. Code, part 8259 retrofits on existing buildings to maximize

energy savings and to construct and leasebuildings that will meet established standardsfor energy reduction.

Energy Policy Act of 1992 Establishes energy use reduction goals for(Public Law 102-486) Federal facilities and establishes criteria for

water conservation.

Executive Order 12902, Energy Efficiency Directs Federal agencies to increase energyand Water Conservation at Federal Facilities efficiency and water conservation at Federal(3/8/94) facilities though purchase of products in the

upper 25 percent of energy and waterefficiency, and promote the use of solar andother renewable energy sources.

10 CFR Part 435, Energy Conservation Mandatory for Federal buildings. EstablishesVoluntary Performance Standards for New energy conservation standards for the designBuildings and construction of new buildings.

Executive Order 12873, Federal Acquisition, Directs Federal agencies to incorporate wasteRecycling and Waste Prevention (10/20/93) prevention and recycling in daily operations

and the use of environmentally preferableproducts and services.

USDA Secretary’s Memorandum 9500-6 Establishes USDA’s support for policies,(9/13/96) programs, and activities related to

sustainable development in forestry orcommunity initiatives. Establishes amechanism to coordinate these activities.

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with other Forest Service built environment projects that incorporate theconcepts of sustainability and that deserve to be showcased as examples,please send a brief description to the DG address listed at the end of thisarticle.

So, What Do Does the idea of sustainability have a role in Forest Service engineering orYou Think? is it really viewed as just another “thing to do”? Can we realistically call

ourselves conservation leaders if we do not lead conservation throughresource use as well as in management? As highlighted earlier, buildingsand the building industry are major contributors to resource use. Con-servation is no longer relegated to the ’ologists and foresters alone. Thoseof us in Forest Service engineering also have a role. We have significantamounts of policy direction that point to the role we can take. However,unless those of us who are responsible for the actual implementation ofthose policies agree to be active participants and share what knowledge wegain from implementation, both among our peers and our line officers, ourimpacts will be severely limited, as will our budgets. It is apparent that thebuilding industry as a whole is adopting the concepts of sustainability andgreen building. Can or should the Forest Service also become a frontrunnerin this movement? After all, do we not already have a head start? Howmany private-sector building professionals have the opportunity to workthis closely to the Nation’s resource base and interact on a daily basis withnon-engineering earth science disciplines?

Sustainability as it relates to the built environment isn’t just anotherprogram. It is a way of life that balances both human needs and environ-mental conservation. It will require good scientific knowledge to implement.One of the Forest Service’s guiding principles involves selecting the mostappropriate technologies in the management of resources. What betterplace to apply appropriate technologies than to the use of resources and

Table 2. Federal Groups Related to Sustainability

Group Description/Contact Info

President’s Council on Established under Executive Order 12852. Its purpose is toSustainable Development advise the President and develop a national sustainable

development strategy.See http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/EOP/pcsd/index.html.

Forest Service Committee Includes a representative from each deputy area. Jim Bedwell,on Sustainable Chief Landscape Architect, is an ad hoc member working onDevelopment built environment issues. The Committee works with the USDA

Committee on Sustainable Development.Contact J.Bedwell:W01C.

Department of Energy Targets a variety of community development issues (energy,Center of Excellence for economic growth, buildings).Sustainable Development See http://www.sustainable.doe.gov.

26

Table 3. Forest Service Sustainability Showcase Projects

Project Sustainability Traits Contact Info

Morehead Ranger Constructed in 1991. Incorporated geothermal Maurice HoeltingOffice and Visitor heating, shelf lighting in offices because siting of (404) 347-2526Center, Daniel building allowed good daylighting. Used gang- M.Hoelting:R08bBoone NF nailed trusses allowing for smaller lumber sizes.

Used rock reflecting natural outcroppings onsite.

Matterhorn Constructed in 1996. Used recycled asphalt Doug MarahCampground paving for campground roadway. (970) 874-6632Paving, P.Marah:R02F04aUncompahgre NF

Use of Recycled Research and development on guidelines for reuse Dr. Robert FalkTimbers, Forest of lumber and timber taken from existing military (608) 231-9255Products Lab and warehousing facilities. Developing a grade rfalk@facstaff.wisc.edu

stamp for recycled timber. June issue of theForest Products Journal will publish an articleabout utilization of wood waste, including reusedtimber.

Lower Jemez Restoration of 6 miles of riparian habitat in Ruth DoyleRecreation Area, conjunction with construction of facilities to (505) 438-7823Santa Fe NF better manage recreation activities. Building R.Doyle:R03F10a

materials and colors reflect vernacular of thearea. Recycled wood and plastic fencing installed,recycling bins incorporated into the recreationuse facilities.

El Portal Visitor Constructed in 1996. Careful siting of facility to Maurice HoeltingCenter, limit disturbance necessary for building and (404) 347-2526Caribbean NF parking. Daylighted with natural lighting. M.Hoelting:R08b

Open-air facility to take advantage of trade winds,thus minimizing air conditioning. Incorporationof natural water flow on site.

Las Huertas Use of a 1,024-watt photovoltaic array provides Mike NolandPicnic Site, Cibola power for water pumping, a host site, and (505) 761-4650National Forest restrooms. Array is trailer mounted for seasonal M.Noland:R03F03a

use and use at other sites.

Brugess Junction Constructed in 1992. The 5000 sq. ft. visitor Lexie CarrollVisitor Center, center incorporates 255 recycled structural heavy (307) 674-2634Bighorn NF timber members with mortise and tenon joints. A.Carroll:R02F02a

Includes an interpretive display highlightingrecycled timber use.

27

human environments embedded into our built facilities? The underlyingconcepts of sustainability are obviously not new to those of us who areinvolved with Forest Service engineering (as seen by the projects presentedpreviously). It is clear that we have many more opportunities to operation-alize the concepts of sustainability that we do not always capture becauseof lack of information and knowledge about the state-of-the-art in sustain-able building technologies.

Closing the Gap The last goal of this article—creation of a sustainable information network—Between Information is targeted at bridging this gap between information and knowledge. Inand Knowledge addition, it will provide a forum for discussion about how to implement

sustainable concepts when initial costs and the competitive markets formore sustainable products and methods are not always conducive to easyimplementation. The proposed network will function as a way to:

• Post questions about the idea of sustainable building.

• Request information from other Forest Service professionals.

• Share wins and challenges of your experiences in implementingsustainability, physically in the built environment, mentally withinthe line officers of the agency, and financially over the long term.

The network will serve as a mechanism to allow nationwide input to thecontents of a multi-agency sustainable resource guide, to be publishednext fiscal year as a technology and development project. If you are inter-ested in actively participating in such a network on the DG, which willshare information via member requests concerning sustainable facilities(design, construction, operation, maintenance, and deconstruction) as wellas discuss implementation of sustainability-related policies, please send aDG note to A.Crabtree:R02F04a. Please include your name, DG or IBMaddress, position, and a brief thought you have about Forest Servicefacilities and sustainability. Information may also be faxed to Anna Jones-Crabtree at (970) 874-6698.

Author’s Endnote I have spent the last year and a half on a leave of absence from the ForestService to specifically study the concepts of sustainable design, construc-tion, operation, and maintenance of facilities. Most of that time was spentworking with the Center for Sustainable Technology and faculty membersof the schools of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Public Policy atGeorgia Institute of Technology. Sustainability is not another mantra. It isan idea that is actively being discussed and implemented in all industrysectors. I appreciate the opportunity to share and help to implement theknowledge and expertise I have gained as a result of my leave of absence.I am excited about learning more from those in the Forest Service whohave been attempting to implement sustainability a lot longer than I!

Bibliography Brand, S. How Buildings Learn. Penguin Books. New York, NY, 1994.

Chappell, T., Chief Facilties Engineer, USDA Forest Service. Personalcommunication, 1996.

Croxton, R. Audubon House. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, NY, 1994.

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Dibner, D.R., Lemer, A.C. The Role of Public Agencies in Fostering NewTechnology and Innovation in Building. Building Research Board. Washing-ton, DC, National Academy Press, 1992.

Kibert, C.J., ed. Establishing Principles and a Model for Sustainable Con-struction. Proceedings of the First International Conference on SustainableConstruction, Tampa, Florida, November 6-9, 1994. International Councilfor Building Research Studies and Documentation (CIB TG 16).

National Science and Technology Council. Technology for a SustainableFuture: A Framework for Action. Washington, DC, Office of Science andTechnology Policy, 1994.

National Science and Technology Council. Bridge to a Sustainable Future:National Environmental Technology Strategy. Washington, DC, Office ofScience and Technology Policy, 1995. Also available at http://www.nttc.edu/environmental.html.

Patterson, M. “Under the Green Roof.” Buildings 91(2) 64-65 (1987).

Pendergast, J. “Engineering Sustainable Development.” Civil Engineering63(10) 39-42 (1993).

President’s Council on Sustainable Development. Sustainable America: ANew Consensus for Prosperity, Opportunity, and A Healthy Environment forthe Future. Washington, DC, 1996. Also available at http://www.nttc.edu/environmental.html.

Public Technology, Inc., in conjunction with U.S. Department of Energy.Sustainable Building Technical Manual: Green Building Design, Constructionand Operations. Washington, DC, 1996. Also available at http://www.sustainable.doe.gov/ss/ptipub2.html.

Roodman, D.M., Lenssen, N. “A Building Revolution: How Ecology andHealth Concerns Are Transforming Construction.” Worldwatch Paper 124.Washington, DC, Worldwatch Institite, 1995. Available from the World-watch Institute at http://www.worldwatch.org/pubs/paper/124.html.

USDA Forest Service. Buildings and Related Facilities Handbook. Washing-ton, DC, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1995.

U.S. Department of Energy. Federal Energy Management Program. FederalEnergy Management Program home page, 1997. Available at http://www.eren.doe.gov/femp/

Vanegas, J., DuBose, J., Pearce, A. Sustainable Technologies for the Build-ing Construction Industry. Proceedings of the 1995 Symposium on Designfor the Global Environment, College of Architecture, Georgia Institute ofTechnology. Atlanta, GA,1995.

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Stress-Skin Panel Constructionof a Small Cabin

Gerald HerbrandsonCivil EngineerRegion 10, Tongass National Forest

Introduction The Forest Service constructs and maintains a number of small cabins atremote locations in support of is administrative responsibilities. It is anengineering challenge to use new technology in a continuing effort toprovide the most cost-effective solutions to the land managers.

Background Most of the Tongass National Forest of southeast Alaska is located onmany isolated islands accessed only by float plane or boat. Few roadsystems interconnect the many management land use areas. This isolationand lack of conventional access is further compounded by adverse weatherthat often limits boat and air travel. These conditions dictate the construc-tion and operation of isolated work centers and administrative sites toprovide short-term housing for field personnel. These housing units be-come a health and safety necessity during adverse weather conditions.They also function as emergency housing in the event of changing weatherconditions.

Objective Remote facilities should be designed to minimize field construction costsand to be economical to operate. The ideal facility should also provide arelatively high degree of employee comfort and privacy. Systems used inthe past include personal tents, wall tents, small panelized framed cabinsknown as knock-down cabins, recreation-type kit homes (such as PanAbode), RV trailers, mobile homes, and modular construction.

New Concept In 1995, the Wrangell Ranger District in the Stikine Area of the Tongassidentified a need for remote administrative housing. They decided to use a20-foot by 24-foot cabin composed of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foampanels. This type of construction appeared to meet the functional adminis-trative needs while being an economical solution from both the construc-tion and the operation and maintenance perspective. The cabin was de-signed to serve two occupants. Figure 1 shows the basic floor plan, andfigure 2 shows the basic cross-sectional view.

The panels are manufactured with a T-1-11 simulated exterior siding thatis fully primed and weather resistant. The exterior is functional and aes-thetically acceptable as constructed. As an alternative, vinyl siding, whichnot only improves the appearance of the cabin but will greatly reduceexterior maintenance requirements, can be installed.

The energy efficiency of this method of construction is well documented.Case studies of conventional insulated framed homes compared with panelframed homes show energy cost savings of 50 to 66 percent. It is fully

32

Floor System Quantity 10 panelsWidth 4 ft.Length 12 ft.Core 7¼" EPSInterior facing ½" OSBExterior facings ½" OSBInsulating value R-30Design load 40 lb./sq.ft. live loadWeight per panel 204 lb. (approx. 4.25 lb./sq.ft.) (see note below)

Wall System Quantity 23 panelsWidth Varies (typically 4 ft.)Height 8 ft. side walls

Gable walls varyCore 5½" EPSInterior facing ½" OSBExterior facings ½" OSB LP-11 Innerseal SidingInsulating value R-24Weight per panel Varies, max. 224 lb. (approx. 4 lb./sq.f.t)

(see note below)

Roof System Quantity 12 panelsWidth 4 ft.Length 14 ft. 8 in.Core 7¼" EPSInterior facing ½" OSBExterior facings 5⁄8" OSBInsulating value R-30Weight per panel 250 lb. (approx. 4.25 lb./sq.ft.) (see note below)Design load 60 lb./sq.ft. snow load

Windows Thermo-Pane vinyl casement, series 5000Milgard Manufacturing, Inc.1010 54th Ave. EastP.O. Box 11368Tacoma, WA 98411-0368

Door Insulated metal clad door

Roof Slope 5/1230 lb. building paperGalvanized metal drip edge29 gage baked enamel metal roofing with ridge cap and gable trim

Entry Entry porch and steps are site specific.

Note: The weights given assume that the panels are dry. The wood compo-nents of the panels do absorb water if exposed to the weather, and this willincrease panel weights substantially. This can be minimized by carefulhandling and protection. It is possible to have the panels sealed at thefactory with a sealer, such as Thompson Water Seal, which will providesome protection.

33

Material and The overall cost of a 20-foot by 24-foot cabin, excluding field delivery andConstruction Costs the foundation system, is about $33,140 (or $69 per square foot). Following

is a breakdown of these costs.

20 ft. × 24 ft. cabin with windows and door $16,400Roof building paper $80Metal roofing and accessories $900Door, window, and battens trim $200Front entry and steps $300Interior paint $120

Total: $18,000

Vinyl siding, including labor (optional) $3,400Interior partitions and kitchen cabinets $5,500

Total: $26,900

Labor costs for field erection (see note) $6,240Total Facility: $33,140

Note: Labor costs assume 30 person days at $190 per day plus $18 per dayfield per diem.

The stress-skin panels where purchased through the Small BusinessAdministration 8(a) program. The panels were manufactured by:

Entercept, Inc.3100 9th Avenue SEWatertown, SD 57201(605) 882-2222 FAX (605) 882-2753

Other suppliers exist in the Northwest, including:

U.S. Building Panels, Inc.10901 Lakeview AvenueTacoma, WA 98499(206) 581-0288 FAX (206) 581-0344

Premier Building SystemsAFM Corporation, R-Control4609 70th Avenue EastPuyallup, WA 98371-2465(206) 926-2020 FAX (206) 926-3992

Method of Most of the panels are small enough and light enough that they can beConstruction handled and installed by a crew of four. It is desirable to have at least six

individuals available during the installation of the roof panels. The totalbuilding, including door, windows, and roofing system, can be constructedin a single week (figure 3).

Day One Once the foundation system and grade beams are in place, the first step isto place the floor panels. The order in which the panels are placed isidentified on the plans. After the floor panels are in place and secured, therim joists and wall plates are installed (figure 4). It should take less than aday for this portion of the work.

39

conventional tandem-axle tilt utility trailer. The Wrangell Ranger Districthas moved two buildings in this manner without any difficulty.

Conclusion Initially the cabins were intended for use as an economical option toimprove the quality of housing at temporary camps. The cabin has fullymet the District’s objective of providing a low-cost, easy to assemble,quality structure. The panels are relatively easy to handle; they can bemoved by pickup truck, boat, or helicopter; and they can be assembled byhand in less than a week by a crew of as few as four individuals. Additionalcabins have been ordered to meet remote housing needs at other sites onthe unit.

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41

The KISS System Outwits Beavers:A Success Story From the Town ofSouth Bristol

David P. Orr, P.E.Technical Assistance EngineerCornell University Local Roads Program

Reprinted from the Fall 1996 issue of the Nuggets and Nibbles newsletter.Used by permission.

The Town of South Bristol in Ontario County [New York] had a problem.Beavers were making their pond deeper by plugging an existing roadculvert. Despite clearing the pipe and placing a wire-framed grate in frontof it, the beavers still prevailed. Constant maintenance was needed just tokeep the road from flooding.

The town contacted the New York State Department of EnvironmentalConservation (DEC). The solutions suggested by the DEC were eitherimpractical, too expensive, or unsuccessful, but their ideas for outwittingthe beavers were good.

While visiting South Bristol this summer, I discussed the problem andpossible solutions with Roger Kessler, Highway Superintendent.

Good Idea!

The DEC suggested using a “pipe” made of chicken-wire or mesh. The“pipe” provides a quieter water flow. If beavers do not hear water flow; theydo not attempt to plug the pipe.

Problem!

The chicken-wire or mesh “pipe” is crushed when a beaver walks on it.

Solution!

We decided to adapt the “pipe” idea by using a fairly stiff section of con-crete wire fabric. Rolled into a tube shape, this fabric supports the weightof a beaver and provides the opening needed to make the flow quiet. Theflood control device protects the road and culvert without forcing thebeavers to flee.

The town placed the simple beaver flood control device, and it worked! Bydiscussing the problem and getting ideas from different people, a simplesolution was found. The KISS system works again!

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Follow these tips to make your own simple beaver flood control device:

• The wire mesh pipe must be the same diameter as the pipe it isprotecting.

• The wire mesh must be stiff enough to support the weight of abeaver. The “pipe” used in South Bristol was 48 inches in diameter.The wire mesh was 4 inches by 4 inches with 10-gauge wire.

• The length of the wire “pipe” must be at least 4 feet long. If it is tooshort, the beavers will hear the flow of water and will attempt tostop the flow. Longer is better.

• Contact the NYS DEC [or an applicable local authority] for permis-sion. If the pipe flow is being restricted, the permission will berelatively easy to get. The DEC can also offer advice if anothersolution is needed.

Engineering Field Notes

Administrative Distribution

The Series ENGINEERING FIELD NOTES is published periodically as a means ofexchanging engineering-related ideas and information on activities, prob-lems encountered and solutions developed, and other data that may be ofvalue to Engineers Servicewide.

Submittals Field personnel should send material through their Regional InformationCoordinator for review by the Regional Office to ensure inclusion of infor-mation that is accurate, timely, and of interest Servicewide.

Regional R–1 Clyde Weller R–4 Ted Wood R–8 Bob BowersInformation R–2 Lois Bachensky R–5 Rich Farrington R–9 Fred HintsalaCoordinators R–3 Bill Woodward R–6 Carl Wofford R–10 Betsy Walatka

Inquiries Regional Information Coordinators should send material for publication anddirect any questions, comments, or recommendations to the followingaddress:

FOREST SERVICE—USDAEngineering Staff—Washington OfficeATTN: Sonja Beavers, Editor

Kitty Hutchinson, Assistant Editor201 14th Street SWWashington, DC 20250

Telephone: (202) 205-1421

This publication is an administrative document that was developed for theguidance of employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)Forest Service, its contractors, and its cooperating Federal and StateGovernment agencies. The text in the publication represents the personalopinions of the respective authors. This information has not been approvedfor distribution to the public and must not be construed as recommended orapproved policy, procedures, or mandatory instructions, except for ForestService Manual references.

The Forest Service assumes no responsibility for the interpretation orapplication of the information by other than its own employees. The use oftrade names and identification of firms or corporations is for the conve-nience of the reader; such use does not constitute an official endorsementor approval by the United States Government of any product or service tothe exclusion of others that may be suitable.

This information is the sole property of the Government with unlimitedrights in the usage thereof and cannot be copyrighted by private parties.

Volume 29May-August 1997 Engineering Field Notes